Biography

Steve Holt was a child prodigy, starting to play piano at the age of four. Born in Montreal, Canada, he began his professional career at eighteen, playing clubs in and around Montreal. Since that time, Steve has built an international reputation as one of Canada’s premier jazz pianists, having worked with artists including Archie Shepp, Larry Coryell, James Moody, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson and Michel Urbaniak.

The Montreal Years

It was not until the age of twenty-two that Steve began formal music studies. He entered McGill University, studying jazz piano with Armas Maiste and graduating with distinction in 1981 as McGill’s first-ever Bachelor of Music majoring in Jazz Performance. During this period, Steve also travelled regularly to New York to study piano with world-renowned pianist Kenny Barron.

In 1981, Steve was appointed to McGill’s Faculty of Music as an instructor of Jazz Improvisation. In 1983, he produced his debut recording, The Lion’s Eyes. The album featured a trio on side one and sextet on side two, with Michel Donato on bass, Camil Belisle on drums, Bob Mover on alto saxophone, Steve Hall on tenor saxophone and Charles Ellison on trumpet.

The Lion’s Eyes received critical acclaim around the world and was nominated for a JUNO Award for Best Jazz Album.

Toronto and Recent Years

In October 1987, Steve moved to Toronto, where he recorded two more important jazz albums for the Sackville label. In 2002, Steve recorded his first album as a vocalist as well as pianist and keyboardist. This led to winning an Honorable Mention in the 2002 USA Songwriting Competition and US tour.

By 2014, Steve had fully returned to his jazz roots with numerous live performances.

In 2025, he released IMPACT with The Steve Holt Jazz Impact Quintet. The album received critical acclaim internationally and was nominated for a 2026 JUNO Award for Jazz Album of the Year (Group).

Steve currently lives in Trent Hills, Ontario.